Middle East
GCC eyes common motor insurance policy
A single motor insurance policy could be enforced across the Gulf before the end of 2013 after gaining support from a key insurance body.
JLT could sell geopolitical cover in ME and Africa
JLT chief executive Dominic Burke said the broker plans further geographical expansion, after its 2012 profits were boosted by strong performance in emerging markets.
Kennedys hires Clyde & Co energy and construction partner
Kennedys has grown its international energy team with the hire of Graeme Baird from Clyde & Co.
Willis promotes Wemyss as Pickering exits
Tony Wemyss will become broker Willis's regional CEO of the group's Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa operations from 1 April.
Singapore looks to remove contract uncertainty
As the London reinsurance market discovered in the last decade, contract certainty sounds simple, but isn’t. Andrew Tjaardstra finds out the latest developments as Singapore edges closer to becoming the first Asian reinsurance market to introduce…
Q-Re names CEO
Gunther Saacke has been appointed chief executive officer of Q-Re, a subsidiary of Qatar Insurance Company headquartered in Doha, Qutar.
Middle East blog: Poacher turned game keeper
After a stint as an insurance broker, returning to an insurance company position in January of this year was momentous home coming for me.
Argo's head of aerospace to become underwriting director
Lloyd’s insurer Argo International has promoted Bruno Ritchie, pictured, to underwriting director.
Aviva to sell Turkish unit say market sources
British insurer Aviva has tasked Barclays with selling its Turkish unit Aviva Sigorta, according to Reuters.
AIG hires EMEA large limits exec
AIG has appointed Sami Sayegh as large limits executive, property for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Three bids for major Turkish insurance business
Allianz, Dai-ichi Life and Zurich are in the process of making bids for Yapi Kredi Sigorta, the insurance arm of Yapi Kredi Bank in Turkey, according to senior banking sources.
Bahrain a "gateway" to Gulf region
A failure to aggressively market itself has hindered Bahrain’s growth as a global insurance sector, according to Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, head of the country’s economic development board.
Bahrain woos international players with new takaful model
Bahrain’s insurance regulator hopes new regulations will make Bahrain the jurisdiction of choice for takaful and retakaful globally.
Kennedys partners relocate to Dubai
Two UK-based partners from law firm Kennedys have relocated to the firm’s Dubai office amid growing demand for insurance related services in the Middle East.
Insurance CEOs upbeat about Asia and the Middle East, says PWC
The majority of insurance CEOs think their businesses are going to grow over the next few years according to PWC 16th annual global CEO survey.
AIG appoints EMEA commercial president
Emmanuel Brulé has been appointed president of commercial Insurance, EMEA, at American International Group.
Takaful not confined to "bread and butter" lines
The retakaful industry is no longer plagued by the lack of capacity it was in its early years, according to Mahomed Akoob.
Middle East Insurance Forum: Diversified distribution essential for Middle East insurers
Insurers in the Middle East need to diversify their distribution networks in response to changing consumer behaviour, according to industry specialists at the Middle East Insurance Forum.
Middle East Insurance Forum: Talent remains a challenge for growing GCC insurance industry
The Middle East can learn lessons from more mature insurance markets but needs to focus on strengthening its domestic talent pool, according to Enrico Bertagna.
Report reveals 35% rise in countries experiencing political violence
The has been a 35% rise in the number of countries experiencing escalating political violence, according to broker Marsh.
Lonmar hires Balchin to grow international marine account
Independent Lloyd’s broker Lonmar Global Risks has appointed marine cargo specialist Ian Balchin to help develop its international cargo account.
Microinsurance to reach 1 billion by 2020
The number of low income people covered by microinsurance is expected to hit one billion by the end of the decade, according to the Luxembourg-based Microinsurance Network.
AIG secures HSBC distribution rights in Turkey and France for $55m
American International Group signed a 10-year bancassurance deal with HSBC Group, which see it become the exclusive provider of non-life insurance products to HSBC customers in Turkey and France.
Weak economy to hurt commercial lines more than personal, says Moody's
The outlook for property & casualty insurers is stable in 2013, despite macroeconomic conditions, Moody's said today.